Truth: I forgot a title and added one after this was published.

Thanks for the great comments yesterday! I am so glad you all liked my post last night - I guess I can be creative sometimes. Most of the time, however, I am too lazy....

I got up waaay too early for not getting much sleep this past weekend. I had too many things to accomplish before 9:30 when my babysitting duties started. I had to drag myself out of bed at 6:30 this morning. I won't lie, I walked into my wall... twice. I also walked into the corner of my bed .... that baby hurts! I was NOT excited to be awake at that moment (probably because i was up until after midnight catching up with all the blogs from the past weekend) However, I was very excited to finally eat breakfast at home! I love my morning routine, and I can't stand when it's messed with.

typical whipped banana oats, topped with cinnamon, raisins, and pb

I loooooooooooooooved my breakfast. Maybe it was just because I was so excited to finally be at home, in my chair, reading blogs, and watching The Today Show (at 7). Maybe it was because whipped banana oats are delicious. Maybe it was because the raisins warmed up through the oats and "popped" in my mouth. Whatever it was, I loved it.

I went to the gym to do my weight training session around 8, then headed home at about 9:15 to shower and get ready for the day. My lovely niece and nephew were dropped off at 9:30 (yes, I instantly became a full time babysitter). They were not very thrilled, but we had a lot of errands to run.

I love children. I'm a teacher. They're fun. Guess what. Kids are not so much fun while shopping. Please picture hands flying, kids screaming "Aunt Chelsey I want this!""No, I don't want to go!""Hmmmph you're mean!" all the while, dragging a 6 year old out of Home Depot pouting, yelling at a child in front of many strangers you don't know.... oh man. Don't worry folks - FH and I will be waiting to have children for a long long time. No matter what, I do love these two. They kept me on my toes.

After two short (insert sarcasm here) hours of running errands, I came home to find a package on my doorstep addressed to me. Intrigued, I began to take pictures of the mysterious white box.

what is inside?

a present from Allie!!!


I can't even believe I was patient enough to take pictures

BREAKFAST MUG OF CHAMPION!!!

Allie is such a doll. Last week I commented on how much I loved the breakfast mug she was using for one of her glorious breakfast creations. She quickly emailed me asking me if I would like to receive an early wedding present (24 days... eeeek!!!). I, being the polite bloggie friend, responded YES - My momma always taught me to graciously accept (and give) gifts. :) This baby can be found here. It is such a great breakfast mug! Just one more reason to look forward to breakfast tomorrow.


I then made lunch for the rugrats - I was surprised at how easy it was to get them to eat healthfully. I really do believe that children will eat what is given to them, healthy or not. I am a firm believer in "tough love". I don't think children should be given the opportunity to make some decisions for themselves until they are at an older age. One of these decisions includes food. Sure, kids should be able to choose between different foods (grilled cheese or pb&j?), but the choices should be limited and healthy.

enjoying a salad (yes, she asked for one!!), and grapes - enjoying grilled cheese, cukes, and grapes. This boy downed the grapes like you would not believe!!!

I was so worried about getting the food on the table for them that I forgot to take a picture of mine! Don't worry, you're not missing much. Standard salad topped with hummus with zucchini, crackers, hummus, and grapes on the side. Lauren's fun fact from comments yesterday said:

Fact: the serving size on the tub of hummus is 2 tbsp
Opinion: the serving size on the tub of hummus is stupid.

BAHAHAHAH! I could not agree more! 2 TBSP? Pleeeeease!!! I don't even know what 2 TBSP looks like. What's a serving size again? I kind of just eat it until I get full.

Up next... the park! Despite the moderately scorching weather, we braved the Chicago humidity and walked to the park down the street. Yes, whining did occur, but I made them stick it out and play outside!

they're such hams

I cozied up with a great book and supervised the play time. This book is awesome. I am almost done with it and I started it yesterday. Anna Quindlen is a great fiction author - easy reads, but great stories.

oh, hello engagement ring! i love the way you sparkle in the sun!!

After my sister relieved me from my duties, I ran a few more errands (as if I didn't do enough of that this morning). I visisted my friend Mandi who is due to have her baby tomorrow! I am holding out for tomorrow, but she thinks she is going to fly right through it! I think it would be so cool though. Her mom's birthday is July 7, her birthday is July 7, and she is due to have her baby on July 7. Do you share a birthday with a family member? My dad and I share the same birthday - it has always been pretty cool!

I also went to the store to pick up a few essentials!

tip: when buying bananas, get 2 bunches. a green bunch, and a yellow bunch. the green bunch will be ready to eat when the others are gone! (those bloobs are going to be delicious in my oatmeal tomorrow)

not one, but TWO coupons for Silk Almond Milk!

I had to get rid of some veggies before they went bad, so tonight's dinner is something I call Operation Clean Out the Fridge. I love these dinners so much - they always turn out so yummy! It's one of my favorite things to throw a whole bunch of stuff in a skillet and call it dinner.

In the skillet went: onion, garlic, pepper, zucchini, brussel sprouts, chick peas, stewed tomatoes.
On the side: sauteed spinach and garlic

Absolutely delicious. The skillets were filled to the brim and mommasita and I dominated the thing! Is it bad to say I want more? Unfortunately it is gone, but that doesn't mean I can't have a snack (or two) ((or three)) before bed tonight. I think it's going to be an early one due to my eyelids already closing on me at 8:45.

Pathetic? I'm okay with it.

Question: What is a meal you have made that turned out far better than you could have ever imagined?